Who are you?
-Name: Dani Larraga Martinez
-Email: luzdaniela-larragamartinez@uiowa.edu
-Major: Biomedical Engineering
-Minors/Certificates: Pre-Physical Therapy
-Year: Senior
-Hometown: Monroe, WI
What is one piece of advice you would give to an incoming freshman?
Be spontaneous in the little moments. Some of the best memories I have from my time here at Iowa happened at the most random times. Game nights in the dorm lounges, walks through campus in the evening, or even unexplained laughs while doing homework in the student commons happen when I least expect, but they are what make me enjoy my time here.
What organizations outside the college of engineering do you belong to?
The Newman Catholic Student Center (BMESS withint the college of engineering!).
Have you had any international experience? If so, where did you go, for how long, and what did you do?
I did a short, 2 week, exchange to Germany in high school. I had a host sister who took me along to all her classes and around the area.
How are you an "engineer ... and something more"?
I love to play music, piano and flute to be specific. I was a part of the university band for a short time where I was able to continue to play flute in an ensemble, something I really missed. I also find time to play piano as often as possible. Whether that be by myself or making it a sing-a-long night with my friends, music really helps me take a break.
What is your favorite part about being a student at The University of Iowa?
My favorite part about being a student at Iowa is the wonderful community I get to be a part of. Through student orgs, such as the Biomedical Engineering Student Society (BMESS) and the Newman Center, I have been able to meet people from all over the world with all kinds of backgrounds with similar interests and goals. Beyond student orgs, there is a general community feeling in the College of Engineering. Study groups pop up in classes and tutoring/office hours and then before you realize those study groups become friends. I still talk to people I met in my first classes, and even the people I was assigned group projects with. Everyone says "hi" to each other on campus, professors, TAs, and students alike. The campus really feels like a community looking out for each other.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
I've loved taking classes with many professors, but I really enjoyed having Professir Saba. I've taken 2 courses with him, neither of which I loved as a class. Professor Saba was amazing at explaining and helping me understand all the concepts I get stuck on. He was also very fun to talk to!
What has been your favorite course?
ARTS:4415 Calligraphy I: Foundational Hands. I loved having the opportunity to take a class on something I love outside of my major without risking falling behind.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time at The University of Iowa?
I spend a lot of time with my friends playing board games, watching movies, and just hanging out in general. This year especially we are trying to go to at least one event for each athletic team at the university, and it is quite a challenge!